Philadelphia, PA – On Sunday, Renee Koumatos and John Vasiliou married at St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Olde City. The couple met there eighteen months earlier. Renee was baptized at St. George and her grandfather Reverend Father Katerlis served as the church priest for forty years.
Father Katerlis officiated the 1st of 2 parts of the wedding which is called the engagement. His Eminence, Metropolitan Evangelos of New Jersey officiated the second part. Ten priests from around the Philadelphia metropolitan area also participated in the ceremony. The church was filled to capacity with family and friends from Greece, and around the Delaware Valley.
The reception was hosted at the Crystal Tea Room (Wanamaker Building) across the street from city hall in Philadelphia. New York band Yianni Papastefanou and Orchestra provided the Greek music. A special surprise from John to Renee featured two members famed band Lifehouse. Singer Jason Wade sang “You and Me” and two additional songs while the couple danced. Demo Vasiliou, the groom’s father and Demi Koumatos, the bride’s sister sang a duet later in the evening in Greek.
The evening concluded with an artist standing by, painted the evenings 1st dance between Renee and John.